Short Summary

A panel of experts of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa began a six-day meeting in Ghana on February 10 (Saturday) to discuss co-operation between member states and Africa's relations with the European Economic Community.

Description

A panel of experts of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa began a six-day meeting in Ghana on February 10 (Saturday) to discuss co-operation between member states and Africa's relations with the European Economic Community.

The delegates were welcomed by Major R.J.A. Felli, the Ghana Commissioner for Trade and Tourism, who said the enlargement of the EEC to nine members should arouse the interest of all African states because of the impact of such a large integrated market on world trade, payments and investment.

He continued: "I would, therefore, venture to suggest that our smaller, weaker economies should draw appropriate lessons from this growth toward larger economic units; and pool our resources and unite our forces to wage war against under-development and its numerous associated handicaps."
The meeting, which is to formulate recommendations for the ECA conference of ministers in Accra on February 19, is being chaired by Mr. R.K.A. Gardiner, the ECA's Executive Secretary.

He warned delegates that if African countries shirked their opportunities for concerted efforts, or allowed themselves to be divided during negotiations to define Africa's new economic relationship to Europe, the consequences might be little less than tragic for Africa.

SYNOPSIS: Experts of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa began meeting in Ghana on Saturday to discuss co-operation between African states and Africa's relations with the enlarge Common Market.

Major R. Felli, the Ghana Commissioner for Trade and Tourism, welcomed the delegates. He said African states should learn from the growth towards larger economic units, and unit??? to wage war against under-development and its numerous associated handicaps.

Doctor R. Gardiner, the African Commission's Executive Secretary, chaired the meeting. He said the consequences for Africa might be little less than tragic if African countries let themselves be divided in forthcoming negotiations to work out their new relationship with the enlarged Common Market.